AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sarah’s smile widened. “So are you, Eva. Now, let’s go and enjoy the Harvest Celebration.”
Eva nodded, then blew out the candle on her stool. Sarah held the door open, and a cold breeze gusted into her room. As they emerged onto the bridge, snow began to fall.
“Oh! It’s snowing, Eva, look.” Sarah’s eyes glowed with an innocence that Eva admired.
She was one of the many reasons Eva had agreed to the peace treaty. Sarah deserved to live in a world where she was safe. Safe to find her own happiness.
Even if it was too late for her, she could still make it happen for others. Sarah was one of the best people Eva knew. Maybe she should tell Sarah about the announcement tonight, so she wouldn’t be caught off guard.
Sarah held her hand up, catching the large flakes as music from the hall floated on the air around them. “Sarah, there’s something I—”
“Ahh, I love this song. Let’s hurry.” Sarah grabbed her hand and raced down the wooden deck and up the flight of stairs. Lanterns illuminated their way as they entered the gathering.
Colored flagged banners were strung across the ceiling, and the large chandelier had been fully lit and brightened the room. Greenery had been collected and sat in glass jars as centerpieces on the tables. Savory scents filled the room as commotion in the kitchen met her ears.
“I’ll be right back, I think they need my help,” Sarah said as she rolled her eyes, then strode through the door of the kitchen.
The hearth had been lit, providing the area with warmth as people filed in and filled the area. The small band played in the corner. A flute, violin, and tambourine played while an older woman sang a pretty tune.
White lace tablecloth was strewn across the buffet tables as workers brought the food out. Candles had been placed on the tables and across the hearth. The sight was bittersweet.
Eva loved this time of year. The Harvest Celebration was her favorite holiday, yet this year, she yearned... for someone.
Krieger wasn’t there to see how festive the hall was decorated or smell the delicious food—cooked special for the evening. He wasn’t here to hold her hand or dance to the music.
He wasn’t here to share the special evening with her. She gasped as she clutched her chest, the empty hole she felt there blooming as the seconds ticked by.What had she done?
Pushing people away, keeping everyone at a distance, and trying to control the situation at all times hadn’t saved her from Derek’s lie. Maybe if she had been a better friend to him, he would have told her years ago and many lives would have been saved.
Was she repeating the same mistake now?
Her eyes scanned the crowd—she needed to talk to her father. She had thought Derek’s confession wouldn’t mean anything to the settlement leaders, but maybe she was wrong. Maybe there was hope of another way.
Her father was walking across the stage, paper in hand, and her heart plummeted into her stomach. No...
She pushed through the crowd, weaving across the hall toward the stairs for the stage.
Samuel Wolf cleared his throat as members of the council joined him and formed a line.
“Everyone... can I have everyone’s attention? The council and I have an important announcement. Eva—” The band stopped playing as he studied the crowd, finding her scaling the stairs. “Ah, yes, Eva, please come stand by me. This couldn’t be achieved without you.”
She moved to his side. “Dad, I need to speak—”
His hand with the peace treaty raised high. “The council and I are happy to announce that we have come to terms with Stone Haven. A peace treaty has been signed, and it’s all thanks to this lady right here. Eva, do you want to say a few words?”
Eva tugged at her collar that now felt too tight. Heat prickled the back of her neck. Why was it so hot in here?She moved to the front of the stage, but as she gazed out into the faces of her people, her words died in her throat.Her eyes filled with tears as her emotions warred within her.
She closed her eyes and said, “I just—”
“Stop!”
Eva’s eyes flew open, her eyes landing on the man standing in the doorway.
A sigh of relief left her lips. “Krieger.”
Her feet were moving before she even had a second thought, carrying her off the stage and through the crowd that parted like the Red Sea. At the end was him.
His clothes were dirty, and his hair was in shambles, a wavy lock falling onto his forehead. His hazel eyes held hers.
